Baking week

This is the way the week has started out. 
Monday night I made Rhubarb Muffins (http://thelocalcook.com/2010/05/07/rhubarb-muffins/) to put in the new cookie jar, or as I have called it now the Muffin Jar. And then decided to make an Apple Crisp with some apples that have been sitting around for a while.  The Muffins turned out Awesome!  The Apples Crisp is so so but the Apples used in it were not the best so what can you expect.

Tonight, Tuesday, after a walk at Kincaid Park where we saw a mama and a baby moose. 

And took some fall photos.

  We came home and I made egg plant, for the first time.  I do not like egg plant the way I made it tonight.   I breaded it with wheat flour, milk & mustard, and then bread crumbs.  Then baked it for 20 minutes.  The outside was crispy and yummy, however the inside was yucky, it made me gag.  Mike thought it was OK, but did not request I make it again.  As the egg plant was cooking I whipped up a batch of Chocolate chip zucchini bread and muffins, 4 mini loafs and 6 muffins.  After I cleaned up the kitchen I decided to make some Baked Kale Chips I have been meaning to make for a while.  http://smittenkitchen.com/2010/03/baked-kale-chips/  The Kale Chips are a success! Mike looked at them with some scepticism but after the 1st one he wanted the entire bowl! I wish I had made these  a lot sooner because they were super easy and super yummy.

Tomorrow we are having Steak with baby bok choy.  And then we have youth group and then the gym so no time to cook.  bummer.  Cooking makes me happy and my tummy full!

WEEK 4 DONE!

Well 5 weeks in and I have finished week 4 of the Couch to 5k. Not to bad if you ask me since we had 2 groups of visitors and I had strep. I am almost to where I was in February. But from what I can remember week 5 is hard, ends with a straight 20 minute run. Yikes!

Not much else is new. Mike went back to work on today and we have zero exciting plans for the weekend, we went grocery shopping last night, so exciting....Today I am making a Rustic Kale and White Bean Soup and some beef burritos for the freezer. Then I am going to treat my self to a movie! Oh and Sunday School starts this weekend!

Week 3 Done

(Clip Art from istockphoto.com)
I finished week 3 of the Couch to 5k last night! A little late, because I had strep last week, but none the less I will start week 4 on Wednesday. Week four is run 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds, run 5 minutes, walk 2.5 minutes and repeat. I know I can do the 3 minutes, since I did that week 3 but the 5 minutes concerns me a bit. The first one I will get through but from past experience the second time through the series is a lot more difficult. I will run Wednesday, Friday morning, and Sunday morning. Marja is coming up Thursday night so I will have to force myself out of bed early to get to the gym.

This weeks plan

I finished week one of the couch to 5K on Friday. Week one was pretty easy, but it gets my legs and shins used to running again. Today I did day one of week 2 which is run 90 second, walk 2 minutes, for 20 minutes. A bit more difficult than week one but I did not feel like I was going to die which is always a good feeling.

Wednesday and Friday I will have to get up early to run. Because Mike Sr, and G&G I are coming Wednesday at noon! I am going to pick them up because Mike has to work, but we are going to go see him on his break at 2:30. I am so excited for them to come, see our new place, show them around Anchorage and just hang out!

Saturday night I have a crop night from 5-11 I am so excited, I have not been to a Crop since ohhh MAY! That is way too long. I have so many pictures to scrap.

Sunday Mike and Mike Sr, along with Hans are driving back down to Ninilchik to try to go Halibut Fishing...again. They attempted to go 2x when my dad and mom where here, but the waves were just to big. Cross your fingers they get to go out and they catch some fish. G&G I and I will go to church and probably do some shopping! I hope there is some sun.

By the way I have not mentioned that Anchorage broke its own record the other day... 32 continuous days with rain fall and counting. I think I am going to start building my ark and rounding up animals.

Should I attempt this again...C25K

The day before Callen died I blogged about how excited I was that I was able to run for 20 minutes without stopping. It was my 2nd or 3rd attempt at the C25K and I was getting so so close, well to the end of week 5 at least. Well since then I have not so much as stepped on the tread mill, until last night. I will confess I had not been to the gym since BEFORE I went to Kodiak... YIKES! I have been to Yoga a few times and have been on many walks on the coastal trail. So finally last night Mike and I got off our growing butts and made our way to the gym. I did Week 1 Day 1 of the the program for the 3rd or 4th time and Mike just ran. I did OK I was not completely beat by the end of it, but it was no 20 minute jog. Mike on the other hand was able to run 1.25 miles with out stopping, after not running for 3 month. How does this work?

Oh well I will get there. If I have calculated it right I should be able to complete it by October 11th. So my goal is to be able to run for 30 minutes without stopping by the time Mike and I go to Minnesota, which is the 29th of October!! I know I can do it, I just have to force myself to go to the gym and get by butt of the couch. My real goal is to be able to run a 5K race next summer so I will have all winter to work on it.

Pesticides

I also found this while looking around on some clean eating/organic sites. Pretty much the "dirty dozen" are the food you want to focus your organic purchases on, since pesticides are used heavily on them. Or the pesticides are grown in to the fruit or veggie like with potatoes. The Clean 15 are the fruits and veggies that use the least amount of pesticides.

Veggies

Mike and I have been trying to eat healthier these days. I guess Callen had an influence on us as he was planning to be vegan beginning this summer. (Vegan=not eating any meat or dairy) I have been following a blog called The Clean Eating Mama for a while now and have tried a few of her mostly vegan recipes, all which have been tasty. Any who The Clean Eating Mama, Tasha, is having an awesome give away on her blog. www.thecleaneatingmama.com/2010/04/nourish-your-inner-goddess-giveaway.html It includes a home spa package and a couple coupons for free yogurt.

Mike and I are also getting our veggie box from Full Circle Farm today. We will be getting:
0.33 pounds Braising Mix
1 pound Zucchini
1 bunch Cilantro
1.5 pounds Jewel Yams
1 celery
1 leek
1 green leaf lettuce
1 bunch carrots
4 pears
4 apples
2 mango's
2 avocados
Yeah for fresh organic veggies and fruit!
Does anyone have a good recipe for Zucchini Bread??

MMM...Dinner...MMM

(Recipe from http://brooke-cookiejar.blogspot.com/2010/02/caprese-salad.html)

Another Week

I had a good weekend. Friday night I went to a really fun play at the Snow Goose, the Fur Rondy Melodrama. It included throwing popcorn at others and the actors, singing, and was hilarious. Saturday I did some shopping at Costco and Joann Fabrics and then scrap booked. Then I hung out at a friends house, Angela's, and we watched the Hang Over. I did not think I would like it but there were quite a few really funny part. I think my dad would like it, but it is not mom's type of movie.
Sunday I slept in and scrap booked most the day. I made turkey meat loaf with corn and bread for dinner before Mike took off to work. After I had digested some I went to the gym. I decided to run! I managed to run for 10 minutes with out stopping! which I was pumped about after not running for a month. I just need to keep building it up to where I was a month ago, running 20 minutes. My ultimate goal is to run a 5K with out stopping (3.1 miles).
This week Mike works nights through Wednesday/Thursday morning. I plan to work out Monday and Tuesday, and Wednesday I have my first Into to Yoga Class at the Inner Dance Yoga Studio!! http://innerdanceyogastudio.com/ It is a 5 week class every Wednesday night!! Other than that not much else is going on.

I did it!!

I was supposed to run yesterday... but the Olympics Started! So I put off my first long run for day. For really runs it was not that long but it is the longest I have EVER RUN... EVER! I ran for 20 minutes with out stopping. I was smiling when I finally started walking again. I ran between a 5.8 and 6.0 speed on the treadmill or 10:40 or 10:00 mile. So 20 minutes and almost 2 miles later, I am again watching the Olympics and I am starting to Scrap.

Speaking of Scrapbooking Samantha and I are going to a Crop for Cancer event on April 20th. (here is their Blog http://cropforcancer-anchorage.blogspot.com) It is also a relay for life team and this is their fundraiser. If you would like to donate I am going to try to set up an online things or you can send me an email. I think it is so important to support cancer research, after all my mom has been through I am so thankful for all the doctors who have the tools they need. Thanks!

Happy Birthday Mike

Yep, Mike is 24 today! (Boy we are getting old) We do not have a lot planned for today. I work and Mike is going out to the Valley with Hans. We are going to an Aces game tonight with Samantha, Hans, and Jacob. Then Mike might be going out with some buddies to celebrate with some drinks, after the game.

Mike I love you so much and cannot believe this is the 9th birthday I have celebrated with you. I cannot believe we have been married for over a year already, and have been to so many places together. Thank you for putting up with me and Java! Love you

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This week has gone by crazy fast, but I am so ready for the weekend. Saturday we I am going to a movie with Samantha and then we have our Dinner for Nine group at night. Then Sunday is the "big game," we will be watching it at Samantha and Hans place. I am strangely making a Turkey to eat for 1/2 time... we got the turkey from our neighbors for Christmas, so i decided to make it, not sure what else I will make with it??

In other news I have found a different CSA type company to try out. It is called Full Circle Farms (http://www.fullcirclefarm.com/). This is what we are getting in our box to be delivered the 10th.

Veggies
1 bunch Broccoli
1 pound Roma Tomatoes
1.5 pounds Red Potatoes
2 each Yellow Onions
1 each Bunched Carrots
1 each Spinach
1.5 pounds Garnet Yams
1 pound Zucchini
2 each Hass Avocados
1 each Green Bibb Lettuce
Fruit
4 each Bosc Pears
4 each Pink Lady Apples
4 each Murcott Tangerines

Now I like this one a lot better so far, you can alter what you want in your box... for example we were supposed to get kiwi, Mike and I really do not eat kiwi so we could substitute Avocados for them, yummy! You can also order additional food from them like bread mixes, eggs, organic candies and chocolate, and additional fruit/veggies, for an additional cost. I am ordering a Bake At Home Multi Grain Bread to try. Normally for the Anchorage area the cost of a box is $40, however for your 1st order I found a coupon for $15. So $25 for all those veggies and did I mention they are all ORGANIC!! One of the reasons we are trying this one out is because they can deliver out in Kodiak when I am there this summer. Veggies and fruit out there are pricey so I think this is a good alternative.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Mike is working tonight, gets off 3.5 hours before we leave. I ran after work (Week 6 day 2 of the C25k!!), went to Youth Group where we played indoor soccer, and the ran to pick up some last minute snacks at the store.

I "think" we are all packed. We have all our clothes, bathroom stuff, and extra shoes in one ONE BAG!! (However the bag is very full, but we got it all in so we do not have to use all our vacation money on luggage fee's which are ridiculous! OK stepping off my soap box) Then Mike has a backpack and the laptop bag to carry-on, and I have my purse and a carry-on bag. The carry-on's are pretty empty other than book, our swimsuits and a extra pair of clothes, so we will have room to bring a few things home.

Friday the forecast is a high of 80, low of 69, with a 0% chance on rain!!! We are going to go to Pearl Harbor, The Missouri Battleship and explore the Island of Oahu. We may go to the Dole Pineapple Plantation if we have time. Saturday we plan on hanging at Waikiki before jumping on a hopper plane to Maui, where we will be picked up by my Mom and Dad! From there we have no plans. My parents are bringing their snorkel gear and extra equipment for us too. Oh and Mike HAS to watch the vikings play on Sunday!

2 weeks

I have 2 weeks of work left until we leave for our Vacation! I am so excited. We have nothing really planned when we are in Hawaii. We have our lodging booked, our flights, and a car on Honolulu but that is it! We have a list of things we would like to do but there is no pressure to run from place to place.

In Honolulu we want to go to Pearl Harbor for sure and maybe the Dole Pineapple Plantation but then just hanging out on the beach. I cannot wait to have my feet in the sand with the sun shining and yummy fresh tropical fruit :)

In Maui, with my parents, we plan on Snorkeling at different beach's. We want to take a whale watching trip maybe with a snorkeling trip to Molokini. With my dad there to lead, I am sure we will have a few long hikes too.

Mike and I have been hitting the gym to get in shape to leave. The gym has been packed this week with "resolutioners." I hope it dies down by the time we get back. I hate there being no treadmills open and the gym being about 800 degrees. I am on week 5 of the Couch to 5K. Yesterday I ran 3, 5 minute stretches without stopping. Tomorrow I up that to two 8 minute runs... we shall see how that goes, this is the farthest I have gotten on the program before but this time I am determined to keep up with it. Today is Mikes last day of work for the week so he will be working out more this coming week. He can run a lot longer, faster, and further than I can but oh well.

Yummy!

Mike and I do not go out to eat all that often. However lately I have been going to one spot almost 2x a month... because I love love love it! Where you may ask?

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Great Harvest Bread Company... not only do they have fresh baked bread and goodies but they also make Fantastic sandwiches. My favorite strangely is Harvest Veggie it has Provolone & cheddar cheese, red onions, lettuce, sprouts, sliced tomato, cucumber, bell pepper rings, salt, pepper, and homemade roasted red pepper garlic on Honey Wheat Bread. Yes it is an all veggie and cheese sandwich but it is so yummy!

Why is it when someone else makes your sandwich it turns out so so good, but when I try to replica it it turns out not so yummy?

Raspberry Chicken

Recipe for Raspberry Chicken from Frozen Assets

6 servings

1/2 cup raspberry preserves

1/2 cup frozen pineapple juice concentrate, thawed

1/2 cup soy sauce

2 T rice Wine vinegar

1/2 t chili powder

1 1/2 t curry powder

1/2 t garlic powder

1/4 cup fresh raspberries mashed

6 boneless, skinless chicken breast

Serving day

1/4 cup fresh Raspberries

Cooking Day

Combine all ingredients in freezer bag and freeze

Serving Day

thaw chicken completely and place sauce and chicken in large baking dish,

cover at 350 for 30-40 minutes,

Remove from oven and transfer chicken to serving platter, top with fresh raspberries.

Todays the Day!

First off Happy Veterans Day! A huge thank you to all the men and women serving our country!

Today I got our first CSA Box from Glacier Valley Farms (http://glaciervalleycsa.com/). After work I went to One Family Birth Center and Natural Health in Anchorage as it is one of the drop off locations for GVF. I loaded my veggies and fruit from the box with my name on it into my reusable shopping bags and headed home.

Here is what I got for $35.

From Alaska’s Glacier Valley Farm, VanderWeele Farm:

5-Alaskan beets

1 stock-Alaskan Brussels sprouts

4-Alaskan onions

5-Alaskan parsnips

1 bag-Alaskan carrots

From Outside:

3-certified organic Red Canal pears

2-certified organic Cameo apples

16- certified organic cremini mushrooms

2 bunches-certified organic red kale

3-certified organic Honeyboat delicata squash

1 bunch-certified organic parsley

The Kale and Brussel Sprouts
This is one Giant Parsnip

Mike and I are going to be eating health now!!

WHAT’S IN THE BOX?

I just ordered our second box from the CSA. I am really excited about this one since I know how to cook and we like almost all the food, and there is more fruit! Only one more week till I pick up my first order!!

To be delivered 18th November 2009
From Alaska’s Glacier Valley Farm, Vander Weele Farm
Alaskan Yukon potatoes
Alaskan carrots
Alaskan onions
Alaskan garlic
Alaskan celery root

From Outside
certified organic Pinova apples
certified organic Concord pears
certified organic Valencia oranges
certified organic red butter lettuce
certified organic frisee (a type of lettuce)
certified organic Jewel yams

November Meal Plan

2. Pot Stickers
3. Salmon
4. Ravioli
5. Breakfast
6. Out for Mikes Graduation for the Academy
7. Raspberry chicken
8. Spaghetti
9. Tater tot hot dish
10. Halibut
11. Baked potatoes
12. Chicken w/ squash
13. Dinner for 9 at rays
14. Hockey
15. Steak with Brussels sprouts
16. Turkey burgers with grilled beets
17. Parsnip soup
18. Pork chops in crock pot
19. Grilled Chicken
20. Salads
21. Scrapbooking/ left over’s
22. Pasta bake
23. ???
24. Salmon
25. Chili
26. Turkey Day
27. Leftover turkey
28. Halibut
29. Out some where
30. BBQ Chicken Pizza

Whats in the Box?

Just got an email for Glacier Valley CSA. For the box I ordered here is what we will be getting
11 and 12 November 2009
From Alaska’s Glacier Valley Farm, VanderWeele Farm:
Alaskan beets ***
Alaskan Brussels sprouts ***
Alaskan onions
Alaskan parsnips ***
Alaskan carrots

From Outside:
certified organic Red Canal pears
certified organic cremini mushrooms
certified organic red kale
certified organic Honeyboat delicata squash
certified organic parsley

If anyone has some good recipes for the ones with *** next to them please let me know. Some I have never cooked before.

I already plan on making cream of mushroom soup with the Mushrooms, since that is the only way Mike and I will eat them!

Busy Busy

I feel like I am always running some where these days.

This has its good points and bad points. Good is that if I am busy I am not sitting at home in front of the TV. Bad because it seems like a tornado has gone through our house. Last night after youth group. (At youth group we went and played mini golf. I was naively excited...I love mini golf... however I was highly disappointed. Never EVER waste your time or money going to Castle On O'malley mini golf. I think my high school senior graduation party had a better mini golf course. But the what can you expect in Alaska) Any who; Last night, I had had enough of the kitchen. It was NASTY. Yes, I know it is partly my fault but whatever. I washed all the dishes, scrubbed the counters and floors. I am happy to announce I feel safe eating in it again!

Tonight we do not have much planned. I have pork chops pulled out for dinner. We plan on going and working out tonight. My C25k quest continues, currently I am stuck on week 4 which has 4 running sets 3min, 5 min, 3 min, and 5 min. The first three I have no problem with the last 5 minute run though I can not get through. I am not sure if it is mental or physical. But I will keep trying.

It will be another busy weekend. We have dinner with the other youth group leaders Friday night, I have FLL on Saturday followed by a party for work in Eagle River, and Sunday we have church and I have bible study in the afternoon. And I hope to sew some this weekend too. So much to do so little time! If only there was an extra couple hours in the day.